Schools

School bus tips from someone who knows

After nearly 30 years, the district's transportation director knows a thing or two about safety.

By PAULETTE LASH RITCHIE, Times Correspondent
Published August 30, 2007

BROOKSVILLE -- Step into Linda Smith's office, and there is no question that she is in the school bus business.

Smith, 58, has had years to collect and receive dozens of yellow school buses, ranging from a bus-shaped cookie jar to her bus-shaped tape dispenser.

As director of transportation for the Hernando County School District, Smith is responsible for the safe transport of more than 13,000 students on a fleet of about 180 buses. Part of that responsibility lies with parents, guardians and the students themselves.

With the school year getting under way, Smith and the state Department of Education offer these bus safety tips for parents, guardians and students:

• At bus stops, students should stand off the road, respect other people's property, refrain from horseplay, arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes early and use only approved bus stops. Parents should supervise children at bus stops if possible.
• When getting on or off the bus, observe a 12-foot "danger zone" around the bus until signaled by the driver, be visible to the driver at all times, avoid having loose drawstrings or straps that can catch on the door or handrail, and wait for the bus to come to a complete stop.
• Never pick up a dropped object that has fallen near a bus. Ask the driver to retrieve it. Never walk behind the bus.
• Once on the bus, follow the driver's directions; remain in seats, keeping arms, legs and head inside the bus; keep aisles clear; don't chew gum, eat or drink; keep conversations to a reasonable level; and avoid distracting the driver.

Smith adds that she would like to see more children ride the bus. "We like to encourage parents to put their children on the bus to shrink the number of cars in the parent loading zone at schools," she said. The transportation department is busy answering calls, resolving overloads and adjusting routes. Smith asks parents to please be patient. She and her staff will consider parent requests when immediate concerns are settled.

The first week is the toughest of the whole year, and "this is 29 first weeks for me," Smith said. "Next year, I'll have 30 years in."

[Last modified August 29, 2007, 22:26:18]